How to Make a Flowering Bulb Bed

Which direction to point bulbs matters when planting them.

Flowering bulbs tend to grow best in well-drained soil exposed to full sun or light shade. Preparing a new planting bed for flowering bulbs involves selecting a sunny location, amending the soil to suit the bulbs' needs and planting the bulbs. The timing for these tasks depends on the bulb species. Most spring-flowering bulbs, such as tulips (Tulipa spp.), are planted in fall before the soil freezes. Summer-flowering bulbs, such as calla lilies (Zantedeschia spp.), are planted in spring. Tulips are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 3 through 8, and calla lilies are hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11.

Working the Soil

1

Select a site for the flowering-bulb bed. Most bulbs grow best in full sun to partial shade, but the sunlight requirements vary by plant species. Early-spring-flowering bulbs, such as daffodil (Narcissus spp.), can be planted beneath deciduous trees because they will be done blooming before the tree has leafed out. Daffodils are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9.

2

Remove existing vegetation by digging out the sod and plants with a shovel or by spraying them with an herbicide containing glyphosate. Glyphosate is applied in liquid form with a sprayer when the air is calm and the temperature is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Its application instructions vary by brand of herbicide. Read and follow label directions.

3

Work the top 12 to 18 inches of soil with a shovel or rototiller, mixing the soil thoroughly to that depth. Soil for bulbs must be well-drained. Heavy soil in a low area that collects water can be amended with sand to raise the soil surface by 2 to 3 inches. Work the sand in deeply with the existing soil.

4

Amend the soil with organic materials such as compost, leaf mold, well-rotted manure and/or peat moss. Add phosphorus to the soil by applying 3 to 4 pounds of bonemeal per 100 square feet of soil surface, and incorporate the bonemeal with the soil deeply.

Planting the Bulbs

1

Lay flowering bulbs on the ground in the location where each bulb will be planted. Spacing between bulbs depend on the variety of bulbs. For example, the bulbs of Aztec lilies (Sprekelia formosissima), hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11, are planted 8 to 12 inches apart. The bulbs of baboon flowers (Babiana spp.), hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10, are planted 2 inches apart.

2

Dig holes for each bulb by using a garden trowel. Plant each bulb with its base and roots facing downward. Planting depth varies among species. As a general rule for spring-flowering bulbs, the a bulb's hole should be 2 1/2 to three times as deep as the widest part of the bulb. Cover the bulbs with soil.

3

Water the bed's soil immediately after planting the bulbs. The water settles the soil. Water the soil deeply when the bulbs have grown leaves and start to display flower buds, supplying 1 inch of water per week during the growing season.

4

Fertilize spring-flowering bulbs after the leaves start growing by applying a bulb fertilizer or an all-purpose plant food with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 10-10-10. Work it into the soil at a rate of 1/2 tablespoon per 1 square foot, and water the soil immediately to wash fertilizer off the leaves and prevent burning. The same fertilizer can be applied every one to two months to summer- and fall-flowering bulbs from the time the leaves start growing until flowering occurs.

Things You Will Need

Shovel and/or rototiller

Long-sleeved shirt

Long pants

Socks

Close-toed shoes

Waterproof gloves

Herbicide containing glyphosate (optional)

Sprayer (optional)

Tape measure

Sand (optional)

Compost, leaf mold, well-rotted manure and/or peat moss

Bonemeal

Garden trowel

Watering device

Water-soluble, 10-10-10 fertilizer

Tip

Growing instructions for each kind of flowering bulb often are printed on the bulb's packaging. Check it for light requirements, best soil type and when to plant.

Warnings

When using an herbicide, such as glyphosate, wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, close-toed shoes and waterproof gloves.

Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide that should be kept away from desirable plants.

About the Author

After graduating from The Ohio State University, Marissa Baker turned her attention to professional writing. Her experience covers a variety of topics, including gardening, landscaping and lawn care equipment. She has been gardening for as long as she can remember, and writing about garden and lawn care since 2012.